Ryan Cochran-Siegle: GEPA pictures
Who’s Racing When and How to Watch
Speed Returns to Kvitfjell
The World Cup downhill circuit will storm into Kvitfjell, Norway, on March 7, bringing high-speed action to one of ski racing’s most historic venues. Since 1993, the Olympiabakken course has tested the world’s best with its mix of gliding sections, steep plunges, and varying jumps. Designed by Olympic champion Bernhard Russi for the 1994 Lillehammer Games, the track has grown more challenging with yearly improvements to meet World Cup standards.
This race replaces the canceled Garmisch-Partenkirchen downhill and serves as the second-to-last downhill of the regular season. That makes it a must-perform event for racers chasing the season title and those fighting to crack the top 25 in the standings, the cutoff to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Historically, Kvitfjell has delivered some drama. At the 1994 Olympics, Tommy Moe claimed downhill gold on this very slope, edging Norway’s Kjetil André Aamodt by just 0.04 seconds. And last year, Switzerland’s Niels Hintermann conquered the mountain. Who will rise this time?
North American Success in Kvitfjell
North American skiers have a strong history at Kvitfjell, beginning with Tommy Moe’s Olympic downhill gold in 1994. Since then, five other North Americans have claimed victory on this demanding course.
The United States saw early success with Kyle Rasmussen winning in 1995, followed by Daron Rahlves, who topped the podium twice in 2000. Bode Miller added to the American legacy with a win in 2008. Canada has also left its mark, with Manuel Osborne-Paradis taking the title in 2009 and Erik Guay adding another victory in 2014.
In addition to those wins, North American racers have frequently fought for podium spots, securing two runner-up finishes and five third-place results. The most recent came last season when Canada’s Cameron Alexander finished third, marking the latest North American podium at Kvitfjell.
With the season nearing its climax, will another North American step up on March 7?
Last Season’s Kvitfjell Downhill: Triumph and Setbacks
Switzerland’s Niels Hintermann stood atop the podium in last season’s Kvitfjell downhill, delivering a decisive victory ahead of Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr in second and Canada’s Cameron Alexander in third. However, a year later, two of those podium finishers are facing unexpected challenges.
Hintermann, who claimed victory with excellent timing and bold skiing, was later diagnosed with cancer and had to step away from competition this season. Fortunately, after undergoing treatment, he is in remission and plans to return to racing next winter.
Meanwhile, Alexander’s season was cut short after suffering an injuiry in a training run in Saalbach. He earned Canada’s most recent World Cup downhill podium on this course. This setback means he will miss the remainder of the season, leaving Canada without one of its top downhill contenders.
With two of last year’s podium finishers sidelined, the door is open for a new—or returning—winner to seize the moment in Kvitfjell.
The Last World Cup Downhill: A Swiss Sweep in Crans-Montana
The most recent men’s World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana delivered an ideal result for the Swiss team. Newly crowned downhill World Champion Franjo Von Allmen carried his winning form onto home snow, securing his first-ever World Cup downhill victory.
Switzerland dominated the podium, with reigning World Cup downhill champion Marco Odermatt charging into second place and their teammate Alexis Monney completing the sweep in third. This was a statement race for the Swiss, proving their strength in the speed events as the season nears its final stretch.
Can they carry this momentum into Kvitfjell, or will another nation rise to challenge their dominance?
Breaking Down the Season’s Downhill Results
Switzerland has dominated the men’s downhill circuit this season, with Swiss skiers winning five of the six races listed. Odermatt continually proves why he’s the reigning downhill World Cup champion, securing two wins and three second-place finishes. His teammate, Von Allmen, has also been a force, landing on the podium in four races, including his first World Cup downhill victory in Crans-Montana.
Canada has also had a strong presence. Crawford claimed victory in Kitzbühel, while Alexander has been a consistent podium threat, finishing third twice. However, after suffering an injury in Saalbach, he will not compete in Kvitfjell.
With Kvitfjell up next, the question is whether the Swiss dominance will continue or if another skier will step up to disrupt their hold on the podium.
2024-25 Downhill Podiums
| Race Venue | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek – Birds of Prey | Justin Murisier (SUI) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Miha Hrobat (SLO) |
| Val Gardena / Gröden – Saslong | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) |
| Bormio – Stelvio | Alexis Monney (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Cameron Alexander (CAN) |
| Wengen – Lauberhorn, Switzerland | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Miha Hrobat (SLO) |
| Kitzbühel – Hahnenkamm, Austria | James Crawford (CAN) | Alexis Monney (SUI) | Cameron Alexander (CAN) |
| Crans-Montana, Switzerland | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Alexis Monney (SUI) |
Switzerland’s depth remains unmatched, but with only two Super-G races left, the fight for the final podium spots is still wide open
Downhill Standings: Swiss Strength, Global Competition
Switzerland continues to dominate the downhill standings, holding the top three spots and placing five athletes in the top 15. Canada, Slovenia, and the U.S. remain strong contenders, each with multiple athletes in the mix. Seven countries are represented in the top 15, showcasing a highly competitive season.
Top 15 Breakdown by Country
- Switzerland – 5 athletes
- Canada – 2 athletes
- United States – 2 athletes
- Slovenia – 1 athlete
- Austria – 2 athletes
- Italy – 2 athletes
- France – 1 athlete
The Battle at the Top
Odermatt leads the standings, holding a 73-point advantage over teammate Von Allmen. Monney sits third, making it a Swiss trio at the top. Slovenia’s Hrobat remains a serious fourth-place challenger, while Crawford leads Canada’s charge in fifth.
Alexander, who was seventh in the standings, will miss the remainder of the season due to injury, removing a key contender from the fight for the podium. With just two downhills left, time is running out, and it is nearly impossible for anyone hoping to challenge Switzerland’s grip on the title.
Top 5 Downhill Standings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points | Behind Odermatt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odermatt | Switzerland | 445 | 0 |
| 2 | Von Allmen | Switzerland | 372 | -73 |
| 3 | Monney | Switzerland | 260 | -185 |
| 4 | Hrobat | Slovenia | 246 | -199 |
| 5 | Crawford | Canada | 233 | -212 |
Current 2024-25 Men’s World Cup Top 15 Downhill Rankings
Sixty-three racers from 14 countries will compete in the Kvitfjell downhill on the Olympiabakken course.
North American 2025 Contenders
Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Independent Racer Wiley Maple
Ryan Cochran-Siegle leads the U.S. downhill squad, currently sitting ninth in the World Cup downhill standings. He finished 13th in Crans-Montana and remains the only American to reach a downhill podium this season.
Bryce Bennett is close behind in 10th, after placing 17th in Crans-Montana. Further down in the standings, Sam Morse and Jared Goldberg are now tied for 36th in the season-long downhill rankings after Goldberg’s 25th-place finish in the last race.
Several other U.S. racers are looking to make an impact in Kvitfjell. Kyle Negomir, Jack Smith, River Radamus and independent racer Wiley Maple are all seeking their first World Cup downhill points of the season. With just two races left, time is running out to score this season.
Alpine Canada Alpin
Crawford leads the North American charge in the 2025 downhill standings, holding fifth place. As the reigning Kitzbühel downhill champion, he has cemented his status as one of the sport’s top racers. He recently finished sixth in Crans-Montana and remains Canada’s best hope for a podium in Kvitfjell.
Brodie Seger is the only other Canadian racing in Kvitfjell with downhill points this season, currently ranked 21st with 63 points. Jeffrey Read aims to earn his season’s first World Cup downhill points.
A University of Utah Ski Team member, Raphael Lessard, will also make his World Cup debut. The 23-year-old Canadian won two NorAm super-G races in Kimberley and finished second in both downhills. There’s no better place for his first start than Kvitfjell, a friendly venue to North Americans.
North Americans with 2025 World Cup Downhill Points
North American Men Racing the Downhill
- Bib 5, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 7, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 13, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Bib 22, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Bib 25, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Bib 30, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Bib 32, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Bib 36,Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Bib 39, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 56, Jack Smith, Stifel USST, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
- Bib 60, Raphael Lessard, University of Utah, Club de Ski Bromont, HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 62, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Protection
What to Watch For
With just two downhills remaining in the regular season, the stakes in Kvitfjell are high. Odermatt leads the downhill standings, but Von Allmen and Monney keep Switzerland in control. Can Hrobat or Crawford break up the Swiss dominance?
The Swiss battle for the World Cup downhill title is nearly locked, but every race still matters. Odermatt holds a 73-point lead over Von Allmen, meaning another Kvitfjell podium or two could put him out of reach before the season finale. Crawford, the reigning Kitzbühel champion, will be looking to challenge for his second win of the season, while Hrobat has been one of the most consistent podium threats outside of the Swiss camp.
Kvitfjell is known for delivering tight finishes, and the conditions will play a key role. With high-speed gliding sections, tricky terrain, and varying jump sizes, skiers will need both excellent timing and braveryto win.
Can anyone stop Switzerland? Will a new name emerge in the final stretch of the season? Kvitfjell is set to deliver another thrilling World Cup downhill race.
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
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Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
